Geography Trips to Study the Region of Provence

Bring the subject of geography to life and take your students on an adventure to discover the world outside of the classroom. Geography trips are very popular, primarily because they allow students to take their theoretical learning and put it into context, in situ. There is nothing quite like climbing that volcano you have been reading about, exploring the caves that you have been studying, or even meeting the people of that colourful tribe you have only ever seen pictures of. The world is the best classroom and is full of learning opportunities for students of all ages.

Provence

Provence is a region in the southeast part of France. Bordering the Dauphine region to the north, Italy to the east and the Mediterranean to the south, Provence is largely mountainous. Crossed by the Provence Alps in the middle and the Maritime Alps on the Italian border, the rest of the region lies on a flat coastal plain known as the French Riviera. The main cities in the area are Marseille, Nice, Toulon and Cannes.

Students on geography trips to Provence will soon learn that the area is drained by the River Rhone and the Durance, one of the major tributaries. The area is largely agricultural, thanks to the fertile river valleys and coastal areas, and there is an abundance of fruit and vegetables grown here and many cattle. A mild inviting climate, fantastic food and the wonderful French culture draw huge numbers of visitors to the region every year, but for students on geography trips it offers so much more.

The diversity of Provence is vast, and from the spectacular canyon known as the Gorges du Verdon to the plains of the Rhone Delta, there is plenty of material to study. The Camargue marshes are a highlight of trips to this region, and students will have the opportunity to consider the protection and conservation efforts in place to protect it. The huge expanse of marshland and water give way to massive salt plains in the eastern corner, with the majority of the wildlife co-habiting in the centre. Rice is grown in areas of the Camargue, as well as the vines that are famous for producing some of the wonderful Provencal wines. Home to an incredible range of birdlife, the Camargue’s most famous inhabitant is the Greater Flamingo. The famous horses roam wild here and magnificent bulls can be seen grazing in the marshes too.

Students on geography trips can't help but be inspired by what they experience in this stunning region of outstanding natural beauty. Fieldwork opportunities abound and there is little doubt that a trip here will prove valuable to students, not only from an educational perspective, but from a cultural one as well.

Angela Bowden works for EST (Equity School Travel), the UK's largest educational travel company, providing school geography trips for secondary schools, primary schools and colleges. Tours with EST can also encompass a wide range of other learning opportunities in worldwide destinations.

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